This study examined the results of a post-internship survey and a follow-up survey and interviews with 11 undergraduate students from the University of California in Davis, who worked as volunteers in a ten-week unpaid internship in Japan to examine their perceptions of the challenges and gains of working abroad. The results of the post-internship survey indicated that all students perceived that (1) the internship's most positive outcome was language gains, particularly the improvement in listening comprehension, and (2) the language barrier was the greatest challenge during their internship. The follow-up interviews and survey further revealed that students used various strategies to overcome difficulties--adjusting attitudes and perspectives when facing the language barrier and cultural differences. In addition, students strongly believed that the support system of the "senpai" (senior)-"kohai" (junior) relationships prepared and helped them to survive and thrive in the internship.